Music, book launch, word jam — it's all about the sung, spoken and written word Friday night at the Back Alley Pub beginning at 8 p.m.

"The cool thing is, with Word Jam … it's pretty free form in structure. People are invited to anything that is word-based," said Tyson Habein, an organizer of the event.

Habein said past participants have read poems, re-created historical speeches, presented comedy or recited song lyrics to original music.

"It's really neat because it's pretty accepting in terms of what you get up and present," Habein continued.

The event also serves as the book release party of Habein's poetry and photography book "Flesh," which is billed as an exploration of "longing and lust within the intimate moments of our lives." The book is published by Nouveau Nostalgia, a micropress owned by Habein and his wife, Sara, that specializes in publishing books with handmade elements.

"Flesh" is a nonbound book that invites readers to match poems with photos in a way that makes sense and reflects meaning for them.

"Both the poetry and the images revolve around themes of longing and loneliness," Habein said.

The evening gets started with some music from Ryan Johnson, who will play a 30-minute set to allow people to buy drinks and get settled in. The Word Jam and book launch will follow. Copies of "Flesh" will be on sale for $5.